What is the Medication Management Service?

This is a service that allows you to sit down with a pharmacist (either your local pharmacist or a member of the service's mobile pharmacy team) and talk about your medicines. This service is free to New Zealand residents.

Together you will have the opportunity to review and discuss:

the reasons you are taking your medicines

when is the best time to take them

any problems you are having with your medicines

the best ways to remember to take your medicines

any other concerns or questions you may have.

Your pharmacist will also talk to you about how to make sure you keep taking your medicines correctly. They will then work with you and your general practice team to help you get the best out of your medicines.

You might benefit from the service if you:

take a lot of different medicines, including ones from the supermarket or herbal shop

sometimes forget to take your medicines

aren't sure why you take some of your medicines

recently had changes to your medicines

feel your medicines aren't working for you

are worried about your medicines.

Important

Bring all your medicines to your appointments, including herbal or vitamin products, rongoā and medicines you have at home.

What does the service involve?

After confirming that you are eligible for the service, the pharmacist will contact you to arrange a meeting.

The meeting can take place in your home or at the pharmacy. The pharmacist will tell your doctor about the medication review.

During the 30 to 45 minute session, you will discuss any changes you may need to make to get the best from your medicines. The pharmacist will write an action plan for you with the changes.

You can have a support person or carer with you when you talk to the pharmacist.

During your normal visits to the pharmacy, the pharmacist will check with you to see how you are going and if the changes have helped with managing your medicines.

How do I organise the Medication Management Service for myself or a member of my family or whānau?

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor and they will arrange the Medication Management Service for you.

What are the benefits to you from this service?

You will learn more about your medicines and why you take them.

You will learn more about how your medicines work.

You can check you are taking your medicines correctly.

You can get some help with how to use medical devices such as inhalers, spacers, eye drops, blister packs, testing kits and meters.

You can get some help with remembering how and when to take your medicine.

You can ask any questions you may have about your medicines.

It will reassure you and your family or whānau that you are taking your medicines correctly.

It will make sure you are getting the best from your medicines, including any proposed changes that need to be made by your doctor.

Confidentiality

Your information is confidential and will be stored securely by your pharmacist but may be shared with your doctor and other healthcare providers concerned with your healthcare.

Your pharmacist will send a report to your doctor (and the person who referred you to the service) letting them know the outcome of the meeting. They may also need to contact your doctor if they identify a problem with your medicines.